A bid to restructure the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection failed Friday, and with it a chance to end a running battle between the state´s top two Democrats.

Senate leader John Burton has been blocking Governor Davis´ appointments to the board. Burton says they´re too oriented toward the timber industry. Burton demanded Davis support a bill altering the board´s membership and setting new qualifications for the governor´s appointees. However, Assembly members rejected the legislation.